Novi-based Lotus Bank executives bashed Indians, lawsuit says

12:36 AM,
Mar. 26, 2013

Written by

Executives at Lotus Bank in Novi are accused of berating two Indian customers and exchanging e-mails calling Indians by derogatory names, according to a lawsuit filed in Oakland County Circuit Court.

The lawsuit, naming bank president Neal Searle and executive vice presidents Richard Bauer and John Westerheide, says the bank violated the civil rights of Jasit Takhar and Anil Gupta by creating a hostile business environment.

Lotus, with a branch in Farmington Hills, was incorporated in 2007 to serve metro Detroit's growing Indian community. Fourteen of its 17 board members are of Indian ...